SRES-837-119
Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Sponsored by Steve Daines (R-MT)
What it does
This resolution designates the week of August 22 through August 30, 2026, as "National Park Week." It encourages people in the United States and around the world to visit, experience, and support national parks. The resolution is purely symbolic and does not create law, appropriate funds, or impose any requirements on any person or agency.
Who benefits
National Park Service as an institution, which receives public recognition. Tourism-dependent businesses near national parks — hotels, restaurants, outfitters, and retailers — who may see increased visitor traffic. State and local economies in park gateway communities. Conservation and outdoor recreation advocacy organizations that benefit from heightened public attention to national parks.
Who is hurt
No group faces a direct material harm from this resolution. Parks that are already at or near capacity during peak summer season could experience additional crowding if the designation meaningfully increases visitation, which could affect the experience of existing visitors and strain park infrastructure and staff.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that national parks attracted over 323 million visits in 2025 and generated $56.3 billion in economic output in 2024, making them a significant driver of local and national economies. They contend that a formal Senate designation raises public awareness, encourages civic engagement with public lands, and honors the National Park Service's 110-year mission to preserve natural and cultural resources for future generations.
Opponents argue
Opponents could argue that symbolic resolutions consume limited legislative floor time without producing enforceable policy outcomes, and that the parks face real, unaddressed challenges — including deferred maintenance backlogs estimated in the billions of dollars and staffing shortages — that a commemorative designation does nothing to solve. They contend that congressional attention to national parks would be better directed toward funding and operational legislation rather than ceremonial proclamations.
Constitutional context
No significant constitutional issues are raised by this resolution. Commemorative designations are a routine exercise of Congress's general legislative authority and do not implicate enumerated powers, agency rulemaking, or property rights in any contested way.
Checks and balances
The Senate exercises its expressive authority through this resolution; it does not delegate power to any executive agency, and no branch gains or loses authority as a result.
Historical precedent
Congress has passed similar commemorative resolutions designating "National Park Week" in prior years, making this a routine, recurring legislative practice rather than a novel action.